December 22, 2010 - A recall petition filed challenging a Goodrich official has been approved.

The petition was approved 2-0 on Dec. 20 by Genesee County Clerk Michael Carr and Chief Probate Judge Jennie Barkey. County Treasurer Deb Cherry was absent.

Village resident Norm Bass filed the petition to recall Council President Patricia Wartella, the second petition since she was elected as council president in November.

Bass filed a recall petition against Wartella on Nov. 12, "for (her) total disregard for the financial well-being and saf(e)ty of the residents of the Village of Goodrich." The petition was denied 3-0 on Nov. 21 by Genesee County Clerk Michael Carr, County Treasurer Deb Cherry and Chief Probate Judge Jennie Barkey.

Now 175 signatures, 25 percent of the last gubernatorial election (November 2010) are needed within the next 180 days. No signature can be older than 90 days. Election official say the earliest possible recall will require the signatures to be submitted by Jan. 28 to place the issue on the May 3 election. Moreover, the deadline will be April 29 for the Aug. 2 election. The new recall language reads as follows:

"Ms. Wartella voted to terminate the attorney who had represented the village for nearly 20 years. She also voted to terminate the street administrator who had also served in that position for many years. She also said at that first meeting that she wanted to transfer street and roadway maintenance to Genesee County and away from the Village Department of Public Works."

Bass said he is ready to continue.

"The reason for the recall is that the decisions being made are a detriment to the well being of the community," he said. "She (Wartella) is the leader of the group, the straw that broke the camel's back is when they brought in Plante & Moran and wanted to spend $20,000 on a village survey. The money is way out of line. Our community has cut taxes over 20 percent, not to mention we saved $50,000."

Bass also responded to several allegations of legal issues in his private life regarding a felony.

"Whoever is making these allegations has to realize I have not been found guilty of anything," he said. "Some of the people that I had worked with are going before a jury and I'm a witness."

"The fact that I'm leading this recall has no relationship at all (to the legal issues). Whoever is making these accusations had better be careful. Better watch what gossip is out there about me, it has no relationship to what I'm doing, nor will I be found guilty on anything."